Air Source Heat Pump Installation in Essex
An air source heat pump replaces your gas, oil or LPG boiler with a system that runs on electricity and delivers around three to four units of heat for every unit it uses. FFT Plumbing & Heating is MCS certified, so we design, install and commission your system and claim the Boiler Upgrade Scheme grant on your behalf — £7,500 (or £9,000 if you're off the mains gas grid) comes straight off your quote before you pay a penny.
Government grants towards your heat pump
There are three funding routes in England. Two of them we claim for you as an MCS-certified installer; the third is run by your council. We'll tell you honestly at survey which one fits your household.
£7,500 off the cost of an air-to-water air source heat pump. One grant per property, claimed by an MCS-certified installer and deducted from your quote — you never pay it upfront.
- Property in England or Wales
- You own the property (homeowners, landlords and small non-domestic buildings)
- A valid EPC with no outstanding loft or cavity wall insulation recommendations
- Replacing fossil-fuel heating (gas, oil, LPG, coal or electric) — not an existing heat pump
£9,000 off an air source or ground source heat pump for eligible properties with no mains gas connection — typically homes heated by oil, LPG, coal or electricity. Available from 21 July 2026 until 31 March 2027.
- No mains gas connection at the property
- Currently heated by oil, LPG, coal or electricity
- Air-to-water or ground source heat pump (air-to-air is £2,500)
- Same MCS and EPC requirements as the standard grant
Delivered by your local council rather than by us, this scheme can cover the full cost of a heat pump plus insulation for eligible households. It is based on income, benefits and your EPC rating — not on your age, although many pensioners qualify through the benefits route.
- Home in England, privately owned (by you or your landlord)
- EPC rating of D, E, F or G
- Low household income, certain benefits, or an eligible postcode area
- Council arranges and pays for the survey and the work
A note on "free heat pumps for pensioners": there is no age-based scheme. Fully funded installations come through the Warm Homes: Local Grant, which is judged on household income, benefits and your EPC rating — many pensioners qualify that way, but plenty of working-age households do too. Anyone who doesn't qualify still gets £7,500 or £9,000 off through the Boiler Upgrade Scheme.
Official guidance: Boiler Upgrade Scheme — GOV.UK · Boiler Upgrade Scheme — Ofgem · Warm Homes: Local Grant — GOV.UK
Why Essex homeowners are switching
Lower running costs off gas
Against oil, LPG, coal or electric heating, a well-designed heat pump typically cuts annual heating bills — often substantially.
300–400% efficient
For every 1kWh of electricity used, a heat pump moves roughly 3–4kWh of heat into your home. A gas boiler tops out around 92%.
Far lower carbon
No combustion, no flue gases, and the grid gets cleaner every year — so your heating gets cleaner with it.
No gas, no flue, no fumes
Nothing burning inside the house means no carbon monoxide risk and no annual gas safety check on the heating.
Steady, even warmth
Heat pumps run longer at lower temperatures, so rooms hold a constant temperature instead of swinging hot and cold.
Cooling-ready options
Some models can also provide gentle cooling in summer — worth considering if you're specifying a new system anyway.
20+ year design life
Longer expected life than a combi boiler, with a simple annual service and no gas components to condemn.
Better EPC, better resale
Removing fossil-fuel heating usually lifts your EPC rating, which matters for resale value and for landlords.
How the install works
- 1Free home surveyWe measure your property, check your radiators, cylinder space, electrics and outdoor unit position, and confirm which grant route you qualify for.
- 2Design & fixed quoteYou get a room-by-room heat loss calculation, a proposed system with running cost estimates, and a fixed price with the grant already deducted.
- 3Installation & commissioningTypically 2–5 days. We remove the old boiler, fit the heat pump, cylinder and any upgraded radiators, then commission, balance and hand over with full MCS paperwork.
Is your home a good candidate?
- Oil, LPG, coal or electric heating (biggest savings, biggest grant)
- Loft and cavity walls already insulated
- Outdoor space at the side or rear for the unit
- Room for a hot water cylinder (airing cupboard or loft)
- Solid walls with no insulation
- Flats, listed buildings or conservation areas
- Combi boiler with no cylinder space at all
- Small, undersized radiators throughout
None of these are automatic no's — they just change the design. The survey is free either way, and we'll tell you straight if a heat pump isn't the right call for your property.
What Essex homeowners say
"Excellent service! They responded quickly and fixed our heating problem efficiently."
"shower refit — Frank identified the problem with our shower extremely quickly and recommended a couple of options, from repairing the parts through to a shower refit. We went for a refit and the new one works great, and looks brilliant. Highly recommend FFT"
"Very good, but a bit pricier than expected. Overall, happy with their work!"
"Super local plumber — Yet again Frank came to the rescue when our toilet was having a mad moment. Always fitting us in really quickly. Always polite and efficient. I would really recommend."
"Average experience. They did the job but could improve on communication."
"Extremely helpful — Frank was so helpful to us. He came out the same day to sort a leaking toilet. He made a temporary fix until he was able to source a part which he will return and fit asap. We would definitely use him again."
Every review is verified by Google or Checkatrade — nothing cherry-picked.
Air source heat pumps — questions answered
Find out what your heat pump would cost after the grant.
Fastest response: WhatsApp a picture for a quick free quote. Text or call also welcome.